Search form

CES 2019: New Asus Laptops, Ultrabooks, Desktops and Monitors

Asus has on display at CEs 2019 the new series of ZenBooks, the Mothership (GZ700)
desktop replacement gaming laptop, new Republic of Gamers gaming laptops and more.

The ZenBook S13 UX392

For the new ZenBook S13 UX392, Asus is pushing boundaries of ultrabook design once more to deliver a thin and light laptop.

One of the biggest changes for the ZenBook S13 is its visual appearance. The UX392 is striking out on its own with a new hue. The silvery blue is much more subtle than the ZenBook family’s trademark navy, and the paler color shows off the signature Zen ripples on the lid beautifully. Dubbed Utopia Blue, it offsets Rose Gold accents and square lines that add an element of industrial design to an otherwise pastel picture.

The ZenBook S13 has a 13.9” Full HD screen surrounded by an impressive NanoEdge 2.5 mm bezel. Despite the larger display, the UX392 manages to retain the same physical footprint as the UX391. To keep the webcam in its rightful spot, Asus added a bump to the top bezel. Its primary purpose is to house the HD webcam, but it also serves as a handy tab for lifting the laptop’s lid.

Under the hood, the ZenBook S13 UX392 packs Intel 8th Generation of ultrabook processors with up to a Core i7 based on the latest Whiskey Lake architecture. The Core i5 and Core i7 configurations both use four cores and eight threads. The CPU is backed up by support for up to 16GB of RAM.

The UX392 manages to squeeze in a discrete GPU from NVIDIA. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 is more than enough for occasional content creation, but if you’re editing photos with lots of effects, the NVIDIA GeForce MX150 discrete GPU offers a boost to move things along. Large media files don’t have to vie for space or face cold cloud storage when you install new applications because up to a 1TB of PCIe x4 SSD maxes out the ZenBook S13 on storage speed and capacity.

The backlit keyboard spans almost the full width of the laptop, and though ultrabook keyboards are often shallower because of their slim design, the UX392 actually features a slightly longer 1.4 mm of travel than the UX391. Below the keyboard is a trackpad with an integrated fingerprint sensor that makes for convenient login via Windows Hello.

If you prefer a proper mouse over a trackpad, you can plug one in via the USB Type-A port on the side. Many ultraportables draw the line atl USB-C, so an old-school connection is a rarity, but it’s useful for plugging in USB drives along with other peripherals that haven’t yet made the jump to the more modern USB Type-C. In addition to its standard USB port, the UX392 has two USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C ports with up to 10Gbps of peak interface bandwidth. You can use either to hook up to an external display or to charge up the battery. Fast charging brings support for juicing quickly on the go, though the 50Wh battery is enough to last a full day, so you probably won’t need to worry about that. The USB ports are joined by a 3.5-mm audio combo jack.

The new ASUS ZenBook 14 (UX431) balances value and performance. This laptop is packed full of the latest technology that includes 8th Generation Intel Core processors, NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics, up to 16GB of RAM, ample SSD storage space and the latest connectivity options.

Lifting the lid reveals a 14-inch FHD (1920x1080) IPS NanoEdge display that offers great viewing angles and uniform color. The NanoEdge display technology shrinks the bezels on either side down to just 6.5mm while also cutting down on the laptop’s overall size. Thanks to the narrow bezels, ASUS engineers were able to squeeze the 14-inch screen into a compact 13-inch chassis. Portability is about size as much as weight, though, and ZenBook 14 weighs just under 1.45kg.

The ErgoLift hinge automatically tilts the keyboard up at an angle when the lid is opened, creating a more comfortable typing position while improving airflow under the chassis for better cooling.

Finally, the touchpad also displays the illuminated NumberPad. Unique to the ZenBook series, the numeric keypad allows for data entry and calculations, but it doesn’t add any unnecessary width to the keyboard and can be turned on or off with just a tap.

Intel’s 8th Generation Core i3, i5, and i7 CPU options offer up to four Hyper-Threaded cores that run at frequencies as high as 4.6GHz thanks to Turbo Boost technology. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 engine is ample for photo editing and video streaming, but upgrading to discrete NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics with 2GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory makes light gaming an enjoyable option.

These days, 8GB of system memory is a common luxury for mobile multi-tasking, but ZenBook 14 is available with up to 16GB of RAM. On top of that, up to a 1TB SSD provides a combination of low latency and high capacity.

Users will want to share the audio experience because ZenBook 14 boasts a total of four speakers. In addition to the pair of upward firing speakers flanking the keyboard, there are two more bass speakers on the underside of the laptop, and the extra space created by the ErgoLift hinge results in clearer bass.

The quad-speaker system provides truly immersive sound, with a 1.4X-higher frequency response compared to its predecessor, UX430.

ZenBook 14 features I/O ports befitting a flexible workhorse. There’s one USB 2.0 Type-A port for a mouse, and the USB 3.1 Type-A and Type-C ports accommodate external storage, flash drives, printers, and other peripherals. Users can connect to a second monitor via HDMI, and the SD card slot accepts memory cards without the need for a USB adapter. There’s also a 1.8mm audio combo jack for headphones. ZenBook 14 features a 2x2 802.11ac Wi-Fi configuration, so users can move huge files to and from the cloud in record time or stream video without a hitch.

ASUS launches the StudioBook S W700, a new breed of workstation that lets you work from anywhere.

The StudioBook S packs a huge 17” display, up to a Xeon processor from Intel, and NVIDIA Quadro graphics, so it’s tailor-made for creative pros and content creators who often find themselves working outside the office, and at just 18.4 mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest Quadro laptops available.

ASUS has chosen a 16:10 display that measures 17″ on the diagonal but fits inside a 15” body. The bezels on either side measure just 5.3 mm. The panel itself covers 97% of the DCI-P3 color space, the common color space used in digital cinema. DCI-P3 is much wider than the sRGB color gamut used by typical PCs, so it’s capable of displaying a broader range of colors. It’s Pantone-validated to ensure the colors you see on screen are accurate, too. Like our ProArt displays, each panel is factory-calibrated before it ships out. Wide 178° viewing angles ensure colors stay vivid and bright, and the 180° hinge allows for a wider range of positions for the display, including flat on the table.

The StudioBook S will be available with up to a Xeon processor from Intel and NVIDIA Quadro P3200 graphics. The Xeon E-2176M features six cores and 12 threads with a Max Turbo frequency of 4.4GHz.

Support for up 64GB of RAM comes with the option of ECC memory for added stability. ECC works to detect and correct memory errors that could corrupt vital data or crash your computer in the middle of an important task. Solid-state storage is a must for anyone who can’t afford to wait around for their computer to catch up. The StudioBook doubles down on performance with a pair of PCIe SSD drives in a RAID 0 array that connects one drive to the CPU and one to the chipset. Connecting one of the drives directly to the CPU bypasses the DMI bottleneck that limits RAID performance when multiple SSDs are connected to the chipset, allowing you to achieve much higher speeds.

Five heatpipes trace their way across the motherboard, carrying heat away from the CPU, GPU, and VRM toward vents in the sides and rear of the laptop, while the curved shrouds on each of the two fans help to channel more air into the fans themselves. This powerful thermal solution keeps throttling at bay while you work, prevents surface temperatures from getting hot, and keeps noise to a minimum while you work. Even under heavy load, the acoustics of the StudioBook S don’t exceed 35 dB.

At 5.3 lbs, it’s light enough to stash in your carry-on, so you can take it on longer trips as well as shorter jaunts. The StudioBook is also MIL-STD 810G tested for vibration as well as environmental extremes like temperature, humidity, and altitude.

The W700’s keyboard features 1.4 mm of travel for comfortable typing. The arrow keys are textured and about 10% wider, and the backlight illuminates your way when working at night or in dark conference rooms. There’s also a function key dedicated to turning the HD webcam on and off so that you can hop on video conference without peeling off the privacy sticker so many of us paste over the camera on day one. Like the ASUS newest ZenBooks, the StudioBook hides a discreet numpad in the trackpad.

There’s an HDMI 2.0 port and a USB Type-C with Thunderbolt 3 support for hooking up to external displays. This iteration of Thunderbolt 3 utilizes Intel’s “Titan Ridge” JHL7340 controller, which is compatible with DisplayPort 1.4, and allows you to output in 8K. These are joined by three USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A ports, so there’s plenty of connectivity for thumb drives, external storage, and peripherals without the need for USB hubs. The StudioBook S also features a high-speed SD card reader for pulling media off of memory cards without the use of an adapter.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) also launched the ROG Mothership (GZ700), a new desktop replacement that redefines the form factor for gaming laptops. Instead of sitting flat, the ROG Mothership stands tall to draw more air into its advanced cooling system. Its keyboard detaches and folds to fit different scenarios.

The machined aluminum chassis frames a 17.3” Full HD IPS-level display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 3ms GTG response time display featuring NVIDIA G-SYNC technology is powered by the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 GPU and Intel Core™ i9-8950HK processor. The factory overclocked core is complemented by a RAID 0 array with three NVMe SSDs, plus next-generation networking that enables greater than gigabit speeds for both wired and wireless connections.

In terms of design, a hinged, stepless kickstand pops out automatically from the bottom edge of the chassis when it touches a surface, allowing for one-handed deployment. The hinge allows the user to adjust the screen for different setups from a range of angles, between standing and leaning back; even allowing for a user to stand over the screen.

The main body pieces are machined from solid slabs of aluminum using a precise CNC milling process. The process steps through 114 individual tooling stages and takes nearly 20 hours to carve every little detail. Most of the keyboard housing is machined aluminum as well, wrapping the ROG Mothership in a protective metal jacket that’s strong enough to survive everyday knocks and bumps.

Factory overclocked chips generate a lot of heat, so they’re covered by a network of eight heatpipes that transfer thermal energy to the heatsinks at the edges. The pipes are linked to the CPU, GPU, graphics memory, and VRM feeding them power. They stretch across four heatsinks lined with 375 ultra-thin copper fins. The fins are just 0.1 mm thin, allowing placement of more fins into each heatsink without impeding airflow.

Fan speeds can be controlled by tuned system profiles that adapt to different scenarios using a handy keyboard shortcut. Turbo mode uses the highest frequencies and fan speeds to reach maximum performance, while Balanced mode optimizes performance and cooling to drop noise levels while gaming. Silent mode goes even further to reduce acoustics for lighter workloads and less demanding games. Custom profiles can also be created with tweaked fan speeds and frequencies that can be adjusted to the user’s preference.

The ROG Mothership pushes its CPU and GPU into overclocked territory right out of the box. The Intel Core i9-8950HK CPU usually runs at up to 4.3GHz with all six cores and 12 threads engaged, but in Turbo mode, it runs up to 4.8GHz in, an increase of almost 12%. Having lots of cores with high clocks prepares the system for a wide range of heavy workloads, from rendering complex 3D scenes and effects-laden videos to pairing hardcore gaming with simultaneous streaming, recording, and voice chat.

The CPU pairs with up to 64GB of power-efficient DDR4 memory. It’s also linked directly to an NVMe RAID 0 array. SSDs normally connect to the chipset, which is constrained by a DMI link to the CPU with only four lanes of PCI Express 3.0 bandwidth—the same as a single high-end M.2 drive. The three-drive HyperDrive Extreme array in the ROG Mothership hangs two SSDs directly off the CPU, bypassing the DMI bottleneck and enabling peak throughput up to 8700MB/s. All three drives are covered by a heat spreader that improves cooling for sustained storage loads.

Graphics duties are handled by the new GeForce RTX 2080 discrete GPU and its accompanying 8GB of dedicated GDDR6 memory. The GPU cooperates closely with the tournament-grade NVIDIA G-SYNC FHD display, which matches its refresh rate with the frame rate in real time.

The four 4W speakers are powered by smart amplifier technology that monitors temperatures and excursion to prevent distortion and damage to the cones. This allows for louder output, more bass, and greater dynamic range.

The audio is anchored by a premium ESS Sabre DAC and headphone amp with Hi-Res Audio certification up to 24 bits and 192kHz. Sonic Studio III software adds surround sound virtualization for headphones and other devices like VR headsets and even external USB DACs.

Recording is handled through a microphone input or by the array mic that sits next to the webcam. The built-in solution filters out background noise like typing and game audio to capture the user’s voice more clearly, while the webcam captures 1080p30 footage fit for streaming and Windows Hello facial recognition.

The detachable keyboard flips down to sit at a comfortable angle for typing. In seconds, it pulls away from magnetic anchors and folds to reduce the footprint by half. Hiding the hinge inside the machined aluminum keyboard frame was one of the most difficult aspects of the project. When separated, the keyboard connects over low-latency 2.4GHz wireless for maximum flexibility or via the included Type-C USB cable. This allows the user to choose not only where to place it, but also how to connect it. This freedom is a stark contrast to the rigid keyboard positions inherent to gaming laptops.

Each key has 2.5 mm of travel enhanced by fast-firing Overstroke technology. The underlying switches are built to last and rated to survive 20 million presses.

Per-key backlighting opens up a world of options for customizing colors and effects for different games and applications.

ROG Mothership also allows users to connect up to three displays via HDMI 2.0, Thunderbolt 3, and Type-C USB ports. The latter comes directly from the GPU and also supports VirtualLink for next-gen VR headsets. With three USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports and one Gen 1, ROG Mothership has enough connectivity to power a complete desktop experience.

The ASUS ROG Mothership will be available in Q2 2019.

The ProArt Studio PA32UCX monitor shines bright with Mini LEDs

The new 32” ProArt PA32UCX takes the faithful reproduction of real life even further to deliver a deliver an HDR monitor complete with a bespoke panel lit by Mini LEDs.

The LED-backlit LCDs employ a technology called full-array local dimming to improve their contrast ratios. The LEDs are arranged in zones, with each zone corresponding to part of the screen, and dimming individual LEDs makes it possible to display an image with bright and dark areas while preserving detail in both.

The ASUS ProArt PA32UCX expounds on this technology with Mini LEDs. These physically smaller LEDs are packed in more densely, which increases the granularity of our brightness control. Less space between the LEDs means small details, like a white cursor on a black background, can be illuminated more precisely. The halo effect that’s common with coarser LED arrays normally manifests as light bleed around bright points, but that’s minimized when there’s a higher number of smaller LEDs.

The ProArt PA32UCX packs 1,000 zones into its 32” form factor, compared to other monitors that use 384 local dimming zones. It offers 1,200 nits of luminance and offers improved whiteness and color uniformity compared to larger OLED panels.

The accurate reproduction of HDR (high dynamic range) content is closely related to precise brightness control and high contrast ratios, so it only makes sense that the ProArt PA32UCX feature native support for multiple HDR formats. HDR10 ensures compatibility with existing streaming video and a growing list of HDR-enabled games while hybrid log gamma (HLG) support addresses broadcast and satellite TV, including the BBC’s iPlayer and DirecTV.

The 32” panel features a 3840 x 2160 native resolution. The screen is capable of reproducing 97% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space used by Hollywood filmmakers and 89% of the Rec. 2020 color space, which is the color space for ultra-high definition television. Moreover, it’s one of the few monitors that meets VESA DisplayHDR 1000 requirements, offering superior white luminance and black level performance commensurate with the standard body’s top tier. In fact, the PA32UCX exceeds the VESA DisplayHDR 1000 requirements in certain metrics, including DCI-P3 coverage.

The ProArt PA32UCX has two USB Type-C ports that support Thunderbolt 3. You can daisy-chain external storage or even multiple monitors from those connectors. Alternatively, attach the PA32UCX to your graphics card through a more traditional HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort interface—the monitor supports both.

The ProArt PA32UCX officially launches in the spring of 2019.

The ROG G703 laptop

The ROG G703 gaming laptop is powered by 8th Generation Intel Core™ processors with an optional factory-overclocked Intel Core i9-8950HK processor for speeds of up to 4.8GHz. Sticking to a traditional 17” laptop form factor requires beefier cooling and a thicker chassis to achieve the same performance as its deep-breathing sibling. The larger heatsinks and fans are so effective that the G703 can keep up despite having much less room to breathe.

ROG G703 features an IPS-level display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 3ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time, and NVIDIA G-SYNC technology. G703 also features HyperDrive Extreme storage, which uses exclusive technology to combine three NVMe PCI Express (PCIe) SSDs in RAID 0 configuration for read speeds of up to 8700MB/s.

The ROG Zephyrus S GX531

The Zephyrus S GX531 delivers with a compact body: the slender exterior measures nearly 15mm thin and leverages a 15.6” display with super-narrow bezels to squeeze into a smaller footprint.

The ROG Zephyrus S GX531 lowers its profile without scaling back on specifications. You get parts like the latest Intel Core i7-8750H CPU, a 144Hz refresh rate display plus all the ROG essentials. They are just squeezed into a slimmer package that lacks some of the extras available in the new compact 17” ROG Zephyrus S GX701.

ROG Strix SCAR II

Built for the FPS side of the eSports arena, the ROG Strix SCAR II comes in 15.6” and 17.3” flavors available with the same 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time.

The ROG Strix Hero II is optimized for MOBAs and ideal for gamers who want subtler styling. Its contrasting textures and cyber-text patterns are more restrained than the aggressive aesthetic of the SCAR II, making the Hero II more approachable for wider audiences.

Instead of highlighting the WASD cluster, translucent key caps impart an extra glow to the QWER row. The Hero is available exclusively with GeForce RTX 2060 graphics. Like with the SCAR II, NVIDIA Optimus technology conserves power by only activating the discrete GPU when needed, so you get longer battery life day to day and better gaming performance on demand.

ROG Zephyrus S GX701

Making its debut at CES 2019, the new ROG Zephyrus S GX701 takes hardcore gaming to the next level with the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20-series GPUs with Max-Q design and 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor plus the GX701 doubles down on the display. It expands the 144Hz refresh rate screen to 17 inches, frames it with super-narrow bezels and adds NVIDIA G-SYNC and Optimus technology. The panel is Pantone Validated for serious content creation work before playing the latest blockbuster games.

The Zephyrus S GX701 can be configured with up to a GeForce RTX 2080 with Max-Q design. The 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8750H boasts six cores and 12 threads with a peak Turbo clock of 4.1GHz. Up to 24GB of fast DDR4-2666 system memory rides shotgun along with as much as 8GB of separate GDDR6 VRAM dedicated just to the GeForce RTX GPU. There’s loads of wicked-fast storage supplied by an NVMe SSD with up to 1TB of capacity and four lanes of PCI Express 3.0 bandwidth.

ROG created the first gaming laptop capable of being powered by DC or USB Type-C (USB-C), and the Zephyrus S GX701 has the same technology. With support for USB Power Delivery, it can handle everyday work powered by a 65W Type-C adapter that’s much smaller than the required AC adapter for maximum gaming performance. This Type-C port is also capable of driving an external monitor via DisplayPort 1.4. Add the HDMI 2.0b output, and it becomes a powerful mobile workstation with dual 4K displays running at 60Hz.

Smart amplification expands the range of the dual 2.5W built-in speakers so they can produce louder sound with less distortion. Most users will opt for their favorite headset via the 3.5-mm audio jack or one of the USB ports. The Zephyrus S can simulate surround sound for stereo devices like headphones, USB DACs, and VR headsets. It also has audio features designed specifically for streaming and recording, including automatic volume stabilization and noise and echo cancellation.

The laptop is features slim 6.9-mm bezels that allow the massive 17.3” screen to squeeze into a body just 15.7” wide.

The ROG Zephyrus S GX701 will be available in Q1.

New Strix XG HDR Gaming Monitor Lineup

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) introduced the new Strix XG HDR gaming monitor lineup, a trio of FreeSync 2 HDR monitors built for high-refresh rate and stutter-free gaming, and available in up to 4K resolution or 144Hz refresh rate.

The trio of ROG Strix XG monitors is also optimized to minimize input lag. Optimizing the display pipeline with ASUS GameFast Input Technology makes it so that gamers can see and react to on-screen actions milliseconds faster than their opponents. The trio of ROG Strix XG monitors benefit further from FreeSync 2 HDR support, which has HDR-enabled games tone map directly to the monitor’s color space, eliminating an entire tone mapping step and its associated latency.

All 3 Strix XG monitors have GamePlus Technology, an ASUS-exclusive feature that overlays in-game enhancements on top of the action. With the press of a hotkey, different types of crosshairs are available to improve aiming in first-person shooters that lack a reticle.

In fact, the XG438Q meets VESA’s DisplayHDR 600 requirement and the XG49VQ and XG32VQR meet the DisplayHDR 400 specification. That means it delivers 10-bit image processing and up to 600 cd/m² peak luminance.

Effective local dimming plays an integral role in matching the VESA DisplayHDR standard’s black level performance requirements. Instead of using the available modular backlights found in most monitors claiming HDR, ROG custom designed the backlights for all 3 ROG Strix XG models, ensuring the best HDR performance. And 90% or better coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut quantifies the ROG Strix XG series’ color output advantage.

With the 43” Strix XG438Q, there’s always the option to view multiple sources simultaneously. Asus supports picture-in-picture mode, with a main screen and inset window, along with a picture-by-picture mode that divides the monitor in half. Three HDMI 2.0 inputs and a DisplayPort interface accommodate most PC and game consoles with connectivity to spare. Moreover, a pair of 10W speakers pumps out high-quality sound, no matter what devices are attached. The 49” Strix XG49VQ allows for up to 3 content sources to be viewed simultaneously, and provides the same viewing area as two side-by-side 27” monitors without a gap and bezels to get in the way.

Expect the XG49VQ and XG32VQ to be available at the end of January 2019.